The member clubs of CFUW are encouraged to use their expertise to bring about change, with particular reference to women’s issues such as violence against women, early learning and child care, education, economic prosperity and the empowerment of women as leaders and decision-makers. At the provincial level, BC Council connects clubs across the province. At the national level, the federation provides resources and support to its members to carry out this work at the local and provincial levels but also at the national level. CFUW also works on a global level for the adoption and implementation of international agreements that will protect all women and girls.
Resolutions desired to become the policies advanced by the respective clubs have their first start at the local club level. Once formulated there, the resolutions are presented and debated locally, then possibly provincially or nationally. Where advanced at the provincial level, the resolutions are debated and voted on at the annual AGM of CFUW BC Council. Where advanced at the national level, they are debated and voted on at CFUW’s AGM. If adopted, the resolutions become the policies which are advanced to various levels of government. At the national level, CFUW advocates and lobbies the appropriate ministry or department in accordance with these policies. At the provincial level, this can be done by the regional organization, CFUW BC Council or by the clubs active in BC. The individual clubs engage with local and provincial issues.
Bev Weidman, CFUW Vernon, written in recognition of and support for IWD 2024:
International Women’s Day celebrates the achievements of women around the world, both individually and corporately, in all areas of society. We are reminded of the difficulties and obstacles that women have faced in the pursuit of gender equality in the past, and the challenges that still exist today. As well, we look into the future with hope for a time when women will attain equal participation with men in society for the betterment of all. For most of history, women were denied the power to participate in …
1. Reducing Residential Energy Consumption by Enacting a Clothesline Act for British Columbia. By club: CFUW Kelowna
2. Restore and Preserve British Columbia’s Peatlands. By club: CFUW North Delta / Surrey
3. Social Housing in BC: Transparency and accountability for BCHousing and its partners. By club: CFUW North Vancouver
2023 Policy Initiatives of CFUW
CFUW’s vision is of a strong national organization working to ensure that all girls and women have equal opportunities and equal access to quality education within a peaceful and secure environment where their human rights are respected.
Our vision includes a world where poverty is reduced, discrimination eliminated, where there are equal opportunities for leadership, employment, income, education, careers and the ability to maximize potential.
Below are more specific examples of the mission and vision of CFUW, as set out in it’s website at https://cfuw.org/who-we-are
1. Immigration Detention in Canada
2. Towards a Comprehensive Maternal Death Prevention Strategy
3. Advancing Sustainable Development and Gender Equality with International Trade Agreements